Minuano

[Gaja]

Now that he thought back their meetings always had these dark under tones attached to them. When they first met, over a decade ago, on the DSC Daedalus, was a perfect example of what he meant. Then on Nar Shaddaa when they got shot at, and even when Yuri wanted to visit her and she played a prank on him. Aura would understand what he meant. But nevertheless the Lamian was someone who Yuri never forgot about, he always counted her as someone he could trust with his life.

One could only hope that this time would be different from their "usual" meetings and that no bullets would be flying past their heads, or naked getaways would take place. After all he was in a nice restaurant with his daughter, so there was little need for those events to take place. Indeed the man took his daughter out to a fancy restaurant, on the top of the skyscraper that was owned by the Hutt Cartel. And as the father listened to his little girl tell a story about a piano lesson it was clear that with time came change...

Now no longer robbing companies, but owning them Yuri looked different. Long hair tied in to a pony tail, his face ever so unshaven as he rocked a black suit with silver pinstripes, and a white shirt with a black tie. An expensive watch on his wrist and a small package on the table next to his left hand. As time moved on ever so relentlessly the man was glad about the little "change" it brought with it. And it's name was Emma. The little girl, now a teenager at age eleven, was he apple of his eye. Short brown, slightly tomboyish in style, hair that didn't quite reach her shoulders Emma had Yuri's eyes.

Enjoying a desert, chocolate of course, the girl had a phone that she tirelessly used. And much like many fathers Yuri had to exercise his paternal charm, or was it dominance, to get her to shut it of. He wouldn't admit it easily, but she would have to do the same to him to get him to end his meetings... It wasn't easy running an empire and being a father.

Saying that brought with it the obvious question about a third person that would be needed to round out the trio, but the sad news was that it was just the two of them. A fact that could still bring a frown to both their faces, even now, almost two years later. Luckily there were no signs of that happening today and the two enjoyed a few, much appreciated, minutes together while they waited on their guest.

With the galaxy going through its usual every day crisis and Yuri learning certain things about himself he decided to bring an old friend closer. He wouldn't allow her to work at her old job any longer. No more lousy pay and living on, what felt, the other end of the planet. He was bringing Aura in to the Cartel today.

 

[Saul]

Aura would have struck a graceful figure upon the retina's of any who saw her had she deigned the need to do so, but today she chose to wear a more relaxed outfit. She was not desiring to draw attention as she meandered the streets towards the venue that hosted the individual which had most impacted her life. The past few years on Nar Shaddaa had been rough - she had drifted from job to job despite Yuri's best efforts. She understood; he was a busy man and, though he had made such an impact on her life, she was likely little more than a flame in the wind to his. Still, she thought of the touch of his skin and felt a chill run up her back. Her eyes would have cast venomous lances through the hearts of any man save he for even the thought of such a touch, but Yuri occupied a special place within her heart. The only man to have respected her integrity, to have understood the fine line between what was right for her, and what was wrong.

She hopped deftly up the steps towards the structure atop which Yuri ate. She wore nothing remarkable; a drab robe draped around her shoulders, hiding beneath it a casual shirt and leggings. Her dull boots clicked and squeaked against the marble floor as she strode towards the elevator. A man at the front desk fixed his eyes upon her, unsure of her intentions, and she could feel them analyzing her every move. She could sense he had half a mind to make her leave, but an elevator car was summoned the moment her finger ignited the button. She spun into the elevator and mashed her blue finger into the button designated 'P'.

The car rocketed up towards the Penthouse-cum-restaurant, and Aura slowly became more apprehensive as her eyes watched the upper reaches of the structure draw closer through the glass windows. I wonder if he'll think different of me this time, she wondered. The sudden thought that crossed her mind didn't make sense to her immediately, but it was replaced by a flurry of others. I wonder where he is in life. I wonder if he is okay. I wonder if I should tell him I'm between jobs... again. I wonder if someone is going to try to kill me again? She glanced down at her boot, comforted knowing she at least maintained a small holdout blaster somewhere on her person.

She sighed as the door opened, pushing out each thought in turn as it came. I wonder if he'll love me. The thought struck her hard and caused her to pause even as she walked towards him. Her foot gently set down on the marble floor and she could see him looking, lovingly, at his daughter. She quickly drew a breath, letting out a short gasp, as her mind tore in two. She felt an urge to turn around, but resisted. It had been years since she had even talked to Yuri about the girl... what was her name? Amanda? She ran her fingers along her crests, sensing their warmth as the embodiment of her frustration. She averted Yuri's eyes the moment they rose to meet hers, instead looking out the window for the briefest of moments.

She needed to collect herself. He had given her independence, and for that she was a thrall to him. Not that she would have minded, had he taken her in a swooping hug and promised to give her all the stars in the Galaxy. She pushed that fantasy out of her mind and settled for what always came. Friendship. Her eyes turned back to Yuri's and graced him with her best smile, timid as it may have been. "It's good to see you again." Her words rang true, and yet still somehow hesitant and hollow.

 

[Gaja]

In a sea of black, gray and white she stood out like a beacon in the mist.​

Maybe their meetings did have some dark under tones attached to them, but he be damned that wasn't all there was to their relationship! Genuine feelings existed, feelings that neither of them, quite sadly, had a chance to act upon in the past... Talking to Emma about his company and that he might have to attend a meeting in person it was surprising how quickly the little girl picked things up. The power of youth was quite surprising. But perhaps even more surprising was when Aura finally showed up. Taking his eyes of Emma and looking at the Lamian woman there were a few words, and emotions, that came to Yuri's mind. Stunning, was one.

It was just fascinating to see how she looked, Yuri had first met her well over a decade ago and on this day she looked like she hadn't aged one bit. She looked perfectly healthy once again, and it brought a smile to the man's face, even though he didn't show it his heart may have skipped a beat when he saw her after all this time. He sometimes wondered what would have happened if they did some things differently, but he always had to come back to the fact that what was done, was done. They could only leave the past be and remember it sometimes, but in the end of the day they still had the present and the future. Now with a joyful smile the man stood up and made several steps towards the petite woman, opening his arms to embrace her, with Emma looking at the greeting quite curiously.

So this was the woman Daddy told her about. Pretty. But also not at all like she imagined. "And it's great to see you Aura." Not minding her personal space or her timid personality the much larger man hugged her gently and gave her a kiss on the cheek. There was still something there, something very real... If Aura hadn't lost her connection to the force she might have sensed it. She was always good at picking up on Yuri's feelings... But after a few seconds had passed another voice made it's debut, with Emma pushing her chair back and standing up like the good girl that she was. Hearing the sound of the chair getting pushed back snapped Yuri back in to parent mode and the short lived embrace ended.

"I'm glad you made it. Let me introduce you to someone." Leading Aura to face Emma, the short Sharp girl with the short hair extended her hand with a polite smile. "I'm Emma. It's nice to meet you." Once Aura had shared her name with the child the young girl would add. "It's funny. When Dad said you saved him, I thought you'd be... ummm, bigger? Hmmm." Pondering on the thought while Yuri was dumbfounded by the fact that she shared that story right away his eyes widened a bit, looking towards Aura. Kids, they had a tendency to complicate things.

 

[Saul]

The tension between the two seemed ephemeral in the moment Yuri embraced Aura. She buried her head into his shoulder, feeling his warmth against her face. She could lose herself here, were it not for the company of others. The soft voice that interjected itself into the moment caused, she could not lie, some small amount of frustration for Aura. Her own fantasies would have her steal Yuri away forever, but she could not escape the simple fact that his life had changed. Perhaps more than her own, given the relative length of their lives.

She smiled as Yuri turned to reveal his daughter. The differences between the two caught her off guard. She had never met Emma’s mother, and so had nothing to compare the girl with – those traits that she shared with her father, however, immediately endeared her to Aura. She wondered if Yuri had been as precocious and fearless as a boy.

“Oh?” Aura fired a knowing glance at Yuri as she pushed him away and stepped over to Emma, stealing Yuri’s chair. “Tell me what he told you,” she smiled sheepishly, hoping to get some girl time in before Yuri could stop her.

 

[Gaja]

There was something to be said about women becoming friends. Witnessing it happen in front of him Yuri was amazed at how quickly the two seemed to find a common subject, him, with Emma's face lighting up with joy as she finally had someone, female, to talk to! And here he was wondering if things would go well... Taking her seat once again the little girl smiled and came closer, lowering her voice a bit, but not enough to where Yuri couldn't hear them. "Hmmm, he told me that you saved his soul. I'm not sure what it means though. Was he sick or something?"

Taking a step back the man would have thought that the little girl wouldn't divulge everything, but by the time he sat down the damage had already been done it seemed. Looking at the two girls it seemed that both Yuri and Emma naturally got along with Aura... Remaining quiet for a moment Yuri wasn't sure what to say. He didn't exactly have this development in mind when he arranged all of this. But here he was, unsure of what to say. Meanwhile Emma, being the knowledge hungry child that she was, observed the two with great interest. It was an interesting dynamic that unfolded before her, because for the first time in years there was a female figure with her an Yuri.

One that her father seemed to like at least... And the little one had no qualms about letting some dirt out, she wanted to know what it was that Yuri meant but wouldn't explain to her. She wasn't too young to understand!!!

 

[Saul]

Aura shot Yuri a quizzical look before turning back to Emma and smiling. "In a way, yes. Your dad helped me too, in ways you couldn't imagine. But what's this about me not being strong enough to save him!? Don't let anyone let you think you need to be big to be strong. Your dad might have muscles," Aura smiled and tapped her forehead, "but it's his brains that make him who he is."

Aura looked back at Yuri with a mischievous look. "So, Emma wants to know, what did I save you from?" She knew he wouldn't be able to writhe his way out of this one - she could interrupt him at any moment with any manner of fabricated comments. But the truth was, she was curious herself what the statement meant. She could not have imagined the Yuri she knew to have some sort of weakness, much less one of conscience which she had saved him from. She had only ever understood the ways in which he impacted her life; more than a decade had passed and she had never genuinely evaluated her own value to him.

 

[Gaja]

Putting her hands on the table while sitting at the edge, for her size, of the rather tall seat the little human girl came a bit closer to the Lamian as she listened to every word Aura said. Offering a nod at the end of Aura's little lesson Emma gave her a big smile to cap it of. "Got it." She remembered Yuri telling her something quite similar to what she just heard from Aura, but it was nice to hear it from a girl!

Meanwhile Yuri, the guy who wouldn't allow himself to get caught in war was with his back against the wall here, it was funny how the world worked sometimes. He didn't mind this, mind you, it was just surprising how the conversation developed when there was the 'Emma' element involved. The little girl knew a lot about Yuri that other people didn't, he'd tell her stories that sometimes didn't even seem real, but sure made for great bed time stories. And leading up to this day he had told her that the person they'd be meeting was someone very dear to him, and someone who had once saved him. Naturally Emma's curiosity got the better of her and she tried to find out more, but when that failed she chose the next best chance to satisfy her curiosity. And she could hardly explain the joy she felt right now as she sat there with the grown ups, listening to them explain it!

Her father wouldn't stay silent for long, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table and looking at the two. "Ok you got me, you two. Let's see. It happened maybe two years ago, I was very sad and angry when the bosses needed a favor. Of course they went through the old man for it." By bosses he meant the Con Lordas, and by the old man he meant the former and late Granee Lorda Vero the Hutt. "They asked me to do something that I didn't really want to do, and to avoid a small war I agreed to fix their problem. And right before I did it I ran in to Aura in the middle of the night and she stopped me from doing something very bad. She might not know it but that night she saved my soul. I never got a chance to thank her for that." He smiled gently looking at the Lamian who appeared in his life like a flash of lightning, and usually vanished just as quickly, and every time she did she left her mark.

Devoting her full attention to her father Emma offered a nod at the end, a little quirk of hers to confirm she'd listened and understood everything. "But enough of that, let's get Aura something." Motioning for a waiter to come over Aura would feel a small tug on her sleeve and when she gave it some attention she'd see Emma leaning in to whisper something in to her ear. If she did lean in a bit while Yuri was busy with the waiter she'd hear the little girl. "Thank you for saving Daddy." Giving her a quick kiss on the cheek as a thank you Emma, quickly, returned to her "proper" sitting position and acting like nothing happened.

Meanwhile the waiter turned towards her and awaited her order. "And for the lady?" Yuri too turned towards her as she could pick out anything really. His treat of course.

 

[Saul]

Her heart palpitated when Yuri mentioned that night; recalling vividly the moment when she realized that the man who had saved her had been the one who would be her reaper. Stunned, she failed to react when Emma spoke to her, staring with empty eyes through Yuri's face and into the depths of those memories. Yuri looked at her with a puzzled face and called out her name.

"Aura?" So much tenderness and care held within a word. She snapped back to herself, distantly recalling Emma's thanks.

She turned to the little girl and mustered a smile, pushing back the irony of saving Yuri's life in the moment he would have taken hers. How much had he changed in that moment - how much had it cost him? He had saved her life twice; for that she was forever indebted to him. Yet, she had always been flighty. "He would have done the same for me," the words genuinely made her smile as she spoke them; Emma would never understand the truth of that statement, Man'a willing.

"So, where are we going?" she asked curiously. Her eyes lingered on Yuri's handsome face and she wondered for a moment how much pain she had caused him over the years, knowing that she had been unable to repay the enormous debt she owed to him. She knew that, were he to ask, she would give him anything.

 

[Gaja]

Aura's moment went largely unnoticed, by both the waiter and the little girl sitting next to her, but not by the man whom she shared a deep bond with. He noticed something to be of almost instantly, realizing that the wounds of that night were ones that may never truly heal. The waiter stood there, ready to take their order, but to his surprise saw Yuri change his mind and announce their departure. "It's a surprise. Come on." Both the Sharp's standing up, first Yuri then his daughter, the Cartel Captain made sure to tip the waiter before making his way out.

Meanwhile Emma stood nicely by Aura's side and whispered. "I think he's taking you somewhere." Putting on a cheeky smile to top it of the little girl put her hands behind her back and patiently waited for the trio to be complete. With Yuri's arrival he gestured towards the exit. "Come on you two." The presence of both Aura and Emma brought a genuine smile on Yuri's face whose hand was taken by his young daughter. Emma proudly did it too, she loved her Daddy and had no qualms about holding his hand in public!

But instead of taking the elevator they went to the private exit, reserved for high ranked members of the Cartel, such as Captains and Lordas. Reaching a mini landing pad, Yuri's speeder arrived.

Spoiler: Commodore

A Rolls Royston Commodore, one of several Yuri owned. Though truth be told that company made a fortune of Yuri alone, who indulged himself in several other of their prestigious speeders. Stepping outside the driver was a droid, one that served Yuri for years now. Excited about riding in the vehicle once again Emma turned towards her father and asked in that fashion. "Can I ride in the front? Can I? Can I, pleeeeease?"

Looking at her with a smile that only she seemed capable of producing Yuri offered a nod, after which he saw the little girl dash of like a bolt of lightning was chasing after her. Turning towards his guest the human offered her a smile, and now his full attention. "Come on, let's go somewhere where we can talk." Opening the car door for her Aura would see Yuri enter on the other side while the droid served as their driver and Emma riding shotgun. With Yuri entering the vehicle they left the tall building behind, and now actually had a few minutes to themselves, with Emma switching between looking at the passing buildings and playing some game on her pad... Aura wasn't a terribly social person, in that she didn't frequent terribly crowded places unless it was necessary. Besides, he figured, with what he wanted to talk about they were better of in a more private setting anyway...

 

[Saul]

With no less grace than ever before, Aura slid herself into the seat beside Yuri and smiled as she watched the excited girl bounce from window to window whilst the speeder slipped into the sky above. An awkward distance separated her from Yuri, one that she wished she could bridge without attracting the unwanted attention of those in front. Instead, for a few moments, she stared glumly forward, resisting the urge to turn and embrace him.

"It's been a while since I've seen the city from up here," she said without looking at him, admiring the buildings as they lanced into the sky. "It reminds me of when I used to be more adventurous - when I used to want to see the Galaxy."

The truth was that she had never entirely suppressed that fantasy, despite the fact that at nearly every turn it had been subjugated by chance and fate alike. Her blue skin reflected off the window and drew her eye. Within that window she could see Yuri, his eyes lingering on her. She wondered what thoughts prevailed in his mind.

After what seemed like too long, she turned to him and gave him a smile. "Why did you call me here?" despite her smile, the question seemed guarded, as though she was afraid to rebuild their connection; she did not want to damage him again. Yet, she could still feel his presence in the Force beside her, as though Man'a drew her to him even now.

 

[Gaja]

As much as he traveled, as many worlds as he saw, it was surprising how rarely he took the time to just look around and soak in the sights. A magnificent planet was all around him, and had been pretty much his whole life, and during the first fifteen years of his life he hadn't even the slightest clue about it, and now that he did he hardly ever took the time to look, a shame. But maybe there would be more chances for that, he could only hope. Hah! There were chances as long as one was alive!

Hearing the petite Lamian voice her desire to see the galaxy Yuri replied, as if he knew something that she did not. "I don't see why you still couldn't see it all?" It was said in a way that didn't demand a reply, and it was the truth. There was still time to do the things that either of them desired, they only had to say yes to them. Turning his gaze towards Emma for a second, a few seconds after Aura posed the question Yuri noted that the child was in her own world at this point. Turning back towards the woman sitting next to him he offered a nod. "Hm. I wanted to see if maybe you would like to make a change..."

Surprised by his own insecurity, Yuri hid it well but his heart betrayed him, the idea of her saying no creeping around his mind made his mind think... What if she, indeed, said no? She owed nothing to him, she wasn't his slave nor did he want her to be. Looking at her there was a brief pause, a brief moment where Yuri was reminded that he was still very much a human made up of flesh and blood, emotions and thoughts... But instead of giving doubt a chance the man, in his ever so optimistic and persistent way of thinking, continued, as if there was no doubt in his mind at all. Even if there was, even if she said no, that was life and he would respect her decision. Aura was a strong woman and one that he wanted in his life, and he didn't want to waste any more time...

"It's complicated, but when is it not with us? I would like you to move in with me and Emma." At that moment his heart betrayed him and he knew then and there what he really wanted... "I know it may be sudden, but you're one of the few people I can truly trust." Pressing a button on the roof a tinted window was raised to "separate" the driver and the duo sitting in the back. Yuri needed some privacy for this. "Heh, it really is complicated... how do I put this..." the man shook his head, not wanting to say the wrong thing so Aura wouldn't get the wrong impression. Yes, he did want to offer her a job. Yes, he did want her around for Emma. He even wanted her to take care of Emma if anything were to happen to him... but that wasn't all.

Looking at her deep blue eyes the man made himself slow down a bit. "I want you in my life. I don't know if you have any feelings for me, but I know I always did for you. But it's not just that, I want you to work for me and to be there..."

 

[Saul]

She couldn't help but smile at Yuri's optimism and nervousness; he may have hid his expression well, but his thoughts betrayed him. She could sense his hesitation emanating from his body and mind. Something important was on the tip of his tongue; far more important than teasing her about seeing the Galaxy.

When the question hit her, it did so as though a Star Destroyer were crashing through an asteroid belt. She had no words with which to respond. The suddenness of the proposal shocked her; her mouth, gaping ever so slightly, revealed her surprise. How was she to answer this proposal, even as it layered on thicker with each word that escaped his lips.

"I want you in my life."

Emotions surged through her, a cascading rush that tore through her. Cynical skepticism was pushed aside by impetuous desire, and she couldn't stop herself. She grabbed Yuri's hand before he could finish speaking, pulled him to her and kissed him deeply, before any suggestion of employment escaped his lips.

In the front of the speeder, the droid chauffeur looked nonchalantly into the mirror, observing the two, and subtly drew Emma's attention towards an exceptionally large speeder craft, which glued the girls face to the window and gave Yuri and Aura a moment more of privacy.

"Of course," she said after prying her face away from his, only to realize she had started crying. She blushed and hid her face behind her hands, wiping away the tears. She felt ridiculous, but at the same time she hadn't though that this moment would ever come. "I'll follow you anywhere."

 

[Gaja]

Sometimes he spoke too much for his own good, and it fell upon Aura to stop him from ruining it. Doing exactly that the two embraced each other in a moment that belonged only to them. The kiss they denied themselves for so long, but none of it mattered. Words could hardly express the joy and feeling of happiness he felt as his mind registered one sensation after the other. Gliding his hand across her back and pulling her in just a bit closer, memories of old, Yuri was for that one moment truly happy.

Their moment of happiness would not end with the kiss however, as his eyes locked on to hers as she tried to wipe away the tears. Pulling her in with his arm the man hugged her and silently whispered. "I missed you damn it." Whether it was the exhaust fumes, there were none by the way, or the force Yuri felt a bit of water build up in his eyes. He didn't cry but he didn't mind them, his body simply expressed how it felt and he had little control of it... Delivering a kiss to her cheek, not the one Emma previously kissed, Yuri remained close to her regardless of Emma or their driver.

"I won't let you go this time." There would be time to go over everything, the Cartel, the rooms, jobs, Emma, them. But right now there was just 'them' and no one else, as far as he was concerned. Seeing the speeder pull up closer to their destination Yuri was reminded that they had the little one to think about, and ease in to this. He knew that they had to keep her feelings in mind... "Dammit we're here."

Slowing down the luxurious car that drove like a dream entered the parking lot of the prestigious Melrava apartment complex, an elite neighborhood where Captains of the Cartel lived, or at least owned apartments. Yuri didn't want to be the one to end their moment, he still wanted to hug her, kiss her but as he realized that he had to act like a dad again, he also smiled for the realized that there would be plenty of time for that. She said, Yes!

Coming to a stop the first one out the speeder was, to no one's surprise, Emma! Then came the reunited couple! "Park it, then meet us up-stairs. It's time for Emma's piano lesson." The droid offered a confirmation and drove of, leaving the trio explore the building on their own, although Emma and Yuri knew it like the back of their hands. A polished lobby, much more then even the luxurious restaurant they had previously visited, with a check in desk, that they didn't need to bother with, and a few guards.

Past the white ceramic tiles came the elevator ride up. Quick and uneventful, usually, now it was anything but as both of Yuri's hands were occupied. With one hand he held his daughters hand, and with the other he once again held Aura's... Not being able to take the happy grin of his face the man couldn't remember the last time he'd been this happy...

​

Pass the elevator doors and the palm-scan of the entrance and before you was a polished, posh one might say, apartment with a view of Nar Shaddaa like few people had. Spacious and well decorated to feel homey it served as the current residence of the two humans... Emma quickly ran of towards her room, no doubt tending to something fluffy or her pad yet again...

Meanwhile Yuri remained silent and simply looked at the pretty Lamian standing, not even, two feet away from him.

 

[Saul]

Ten years had passed since Yuri had first saved her, two more since he had made that fateful decision once again, and every moment in between she had spent longing for this moment. She gave in without a second thought, enjoying the warmth of his embrace. Yet the moment wasn't the eternal she had wished it would be. The speeder arrived at the destination frustratingly quick, but she knew that the rest of her life waited for her.

"Here?" she inquired, looking at the building. Guards, a secretary, for his personal residence? Yuri had acquired even more influence than he had accrued in his bank robbing days, it seemed, but how? He had a daughter to think about, so she could not picture him in the same reckless lifestyle that he had lived before. She glanced over the guards with a grin, their eyes analyzing her every move in more than one way. Was she a threat? Would the boss be having a good time tonight? She wondered what thoughts they entertained, but ultimately it did not matter. She strolled further into the house and into the turbolift with Yuri and his daughter. Hand-in-hand, she felt excited and nervous, the same sensation she had felt when she had first shuttled off her homeworld.

Penthouse, I imagine, she thought to herself as the floors sped past. Yuri had always had a taste for flare, even if he had for many years had no one to share it with. He liked to impress himself, and his honesty with himself was something that had always endeared him to her, even if it sometimes bordered narcissism. She looked at his angular jaw, thick muscles, and unshaven face, then to his daughter. She glanced over at him, but Aura couldn't read her emotions. Instead, she locked eyes with the girl and wondered what she thought. The turbolift hissed open and Emma ran out to the piano. Before Yuri could follow, Aura grabbed him and held him in place.

"What about Emma? What if she doesn't approve? She barely knows me...," the thought of an outside influence taking this moment away from her scared her. The fact that he had a child did not matter to her - she knew he as of the age where it would be unreasonable to expect him to not have an heir to his legacy, but the fact that Yuri's decisions were no longer entirely his own did worry her. She needed reinforcement before she stepped out of the elevator.

 

[Gaja]

There were things that they would have to talk about. They had a moment of happiness, a true one that both of them longed for, and they wished to fight for each other. But with each step the reality of it all sank it, they would have to fight for it. This was not the happy end that one always saw in the movies, it was merely a beginning of another chapter in their lives. While Yuri knew that he wanted Aura in his life this was not how he had planned on doing it. He wanted to ease in to it, have her move in with them and work for him as his advisor.

If it were any other person that was how it would have gone down too. But Aura wasn't just a pretty face who he was looking to employ, the two of them shared a history that went back over a decade. They were intimate with each other, but never had the chance to pursue a relationship, then two years ago when, by a stroke of luck or fate, they met on Nar Shaddaa things weren't good either. Aura wasn't ready for a relationship, and neither was Yuri, for completely different reasons. Having lost Tsu, it was difficult for Yuri to imagine feeling like this again, and acting like it too.

After so much time of pain, misery and struggle he simply embraced her, wanting to express those feelings regardless whether or not she cared for him in the same way. He was well aware of the fact that she could have easily been spooked by his straight forward nature and said no, but he was glad that she did not do that.

Now once again standing at a cross-roads in their lives Yuri wanted to roll the dice, this time with her. His life always was and, it looked like, always would be dangerous. When they first met, it was the Ona'Bak Retrade, The Galactic Alliance, Chiss and Imperials, the War and the uncertainty of coming back home from a job.

Today it was the Hutt Cartel, the Imperium, the Hutts and Emma. There were more things to add but those were the big ones. Emma, while not something that could kill him presented a person whom Yuri had a responsibility towards, someone he cared for more than anything and someone whom he wished for a better future. That still didn't change the fact who he was and what he did...

But as he stood there only two things mattered to the man. The little girl in the other room, and the woman holding his hand and asking for a little encouragement. Shaking his head, a soft smile ever present on his face even when she acted like this, Yuri faced her and pulled her inside. "Don't worry, she'll love you. I wouldn't have introduced you two if I thought you couldn't get along. Come on, let's go inside." Gently pulling her inside Yuri wasn't sure why it was that things happened the way they did, but he was glad that this time they turned out like this.

This was a good thing, and he wouldn't let it go away again.

 

[Saul]

His words gave her some small amount of confidence as she realized the transition she would take by making this step into his home. She nodded her head briefly and made the step - no, the leap into this new life. Taking her chance to look around, she couldn't help but struggle to grasp the scope of change that would take over her life.

For the past few years she had struggled between jobs, barely able to afford a studio with failing air conditioning and ridiculous utility fees and management that seemed a little too interested in her physical condition. She barely knew any of her neighbors, and so separating herself from her place would be easy enough, but she thought of her independence. How would being here, with Yuri, change the way she made decisions? She followed him deeper into the home before realizing that Yuri had completely failed to fulfill his duty as a host and take her on a tour.

"So. Aren't you going to show me around?" she stopped walking and stood there in mock annoyance, her arms folded over her chest and her eyebrow raised as though she expected concessions.

 

[Gaja]

Deviations and Concessions.

That was the issue now. By not showing her around the first time she entered his home Yuri "angered" Aura a bit, so when she called him out on it the man realized it. She was completely right in calling him out on it, but the way she presented her dissatisfaction was so adorable and endearing that Yuri simply couldn't help but play along, in his own way. "Look at you getting all bossy on me. Come here." Pulling her towards him just a tad, so to make her walk towards her or skip, the man embraced her and raised her in to the air. Supporting her but with his forearms the man spun her around once while looking at her.

"Which room would you like to see first? Your room? The office?" It was a big place, well actually Yuri kind of occupied half the floor so they could go anywhere really but at this time he simply wanted to enjoy the moment with the Lamian. He knew that they would have to talk about everything, and they would but there was plenty of time for that. Moving his left hand upward Yuri maintained Aura in the air with his right, while his left touched her back, the embrace showing that he cared for her.

If she wanted a more mature conversation she'd have to be the one to initiate it, because Yuri looked like he had no intentions to. After all moments like these were a rarity for the man, and so he didn't have any intentions on ending it. After all with Emma's door closed and the little girl tunning her piano's keys the adults had a moment to themselves...

Maybe this was a poor excuse for a tour of the place but certainly it wasn't the worst. At least from Yuri's point of view....

 

[Saul]

"My room?" the inquiry came as she finished giggling after being twirled around. She hadn't thought she'd have her own room; actually, she had sort of been hoping to share one with Yuri, but that fantasy met reality quickly. It'd be too sudden a change for Emma to handle, no doubt. Yet, while she didn't want to become some pet for Yuri to keep around, she was also happy with the arrangement; it was better than living like scum, like she had for so many years.

Ultimately, Aura had no say in what would happen here; Yuri was in control of her, and it felt exciting. He gave her options, but those options were only the ones provided to her by him. All roads led to him, and so she did not argue when Yuri set her down and guided her through the house to her room. She lost her mind in thought while staring at him from behind - well, rather a specific part of his behind. She grinned for a moment, knowing Yuri couldn't see her, and wondered what it would be like.... Her nerves fired off at the thought and she instantly wondered what he was thinking. Was he anxious? Nervous? He seemed happy, but maybe there was something deeper underneath. Was this merely a ploy? She bit her lip nervously and probed out with the Force to touch his mind and maybe dig into his thoughts.

 

[Gaja]

If two people were to discuss how a Hutt Cartel boss lived it was unlikely that they would nail this scenario. A man like Yuri having a daughter, and making the change to bring in a possible love in to their life when the Hutt Cartel was at a critical point in its existence. With the former King out of the picture and a new one trying to establish himself the other Lords were not happy, there was bad blood and ambitions that got in the way. It was difficult to purify the Cartel of those things, after all Hutts could live on for a very long time, even longer than Lamians from what Yuri was told.

Not realizing Aura's mindset Yuri was preoccupied with leading her to her new room, a spacious room with a big closet for all of her new clothes. A big display with holo-access and feed from all corners of the galaxy was hung on the opposite side of room, facing the king size bed that Aura would now be using. The door slid open with the slightest of hisses as Yuri peeked inside, feeling quite good about leading Aura here. This was a bold move he was making, all of this was, but sometimes you just had to go for it. He wasn't sure what would happen tomorrow, or the day after that, especially if what he heard was true...

But the somber thoughts couldn't hope to occupy his mind, not when powerful emotions reigned supreme. He could feel his heart beating, he felt happy and good about this. There was a bit of an uncertainty in him, but there was also an unstoppable desire to pursue this, regardless of the outcome. He simply didn't wish to one day face himself in the mirror and wonder what could have happened if he went for it... he'd much rather find out and if Aura decides that this isn't what she wants, that was her decision... Yuri went for it.

"So? What do you think?" He felt something though, something odd... He couldn't quite place it, but he had a feeling. Like, it was difficult to describe, but it felt like... that feeling when you feel like someone is watching you, and you turn around and they are? But it was a fleeting sensation, only swirling around his senses for a moment and vanishing the next, like the cool summer wind of Nar Shaddaa. Instead of focusing on weird feelings, and his brain playing tricks on him, the man much rather focused on the pretty Lamian walking behind him. Positive energy, attraction, hope... those were the basic emotions that Aura might have picked up during her brief chance at feeling out Yuri.

The man was attracted to her, his feelings stirring deep inside him but not showing on the outside, instead all the eye could see was a smile and a touch. And once she came close enough to inspect the room a brief moment of closeness and a whisper. "Your room, but if you ever get lonely you can sleep in my bed." His breath lingered on her skin, and hopefully his words would too for there was a deeper meaning behind them. He desired her...

But like the man he was he restrained himself for now, moving away from the door and behind the petite woman, his hand sliding down to her hips and gently stopping there. He wanted to say something, but honestly he failed to come up with anything smart to say and maybe that was for the best. So he simply remained quiet and let her go, raising his hands to lean against the door frame. If Aura wanted to explore the room, he didn't want to hold her back, though he did go against himself a bit in not hugging her from behind...

 

[Saul]

Her eyes ran across the room, lingering on the closet that would fit her new clothes first. She gauged its measurements with her eyeballs, wondering how much she would have to buy before it stopped feeling empty. A thought crossed her mind: how was she to earn the money to fill that closet with clothing worthy of its size. Moving on, she realized that the room itself was graceful, elegant, and light. Her eyes wandered to the window and beheld the view there; she could see the tops of buildings in ways she had not had the luxury of doing before. Finally, they came to rest on the bed before her. It was huge, covered in sheets that must be made of silk. She realized she had begun to lean back on Yuri, her back pressed against his chest. She bit her lip and moved closer to his body, knowing it might drive him crazy, and looked back over her should into his eyes, running her hand along his head.

The coy grin on her face spoke volumes, and her spare hand grabbed his hip and pulled him as close as possible. Before he could get comfortable, she spun around and grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the bed. "Isn't there any other reason you wanted to see me?" she asked, interrupting whatever thoughts played across his mind as she sat down on the bed. "Or am I just here to be your toy?" she laid back on the bed, not really caring which answer he gave. She wanted him to simply take her, but she locked eyes with his, knowing that he would be hard-pressed to not allow them to wander anywhere else; her eyes demanded an answer before a reward.